
A Spitfire for Everyone
The Balsa Basics Spitfire has been designed to be a great intermediate level flyer that is easy to build. Unlike other warbird models out there, this one has a very light wing-loading and gentle characteristics. It can slow right down without tip-stalling, which makes landing a breeze and keeps hand launching drama free. If you've flown at least one other aileron model before this, you should be ready to fly this Spitfire.
Easy to Build
As well as being designed with predictable flying characteristics at the top of the brief, ease of build (as with all of our Balsa Basics designs) was a priority. Precision laser cut parts fit together seamlessly to build up the elliptical wing section with a cleverly integrated double spar that slots around each rib. The leading and trailing edges clip into notches at the ends of each rib and the aileron spar provides a ton of rigidity that keeps the structure tight.
As far as the fuselage goes, a central box section is built up from interlocking, self-jigging, light-ply components to form the nose and cockpit of the aircraft. Balsa fuselage sides and more formers bring the tail together with balsa stringers added to capture those iconic Spitfire lines.
Please Note: this is an airframe kit and will need your own electronics, radio gear, battery, 55mm spinner and covering material (scroll down for all the things you will need)

More Detailed than You Might Think
Although clearly meant to be a very simple, fun-scale model of the Spitfire, this aircraft does come with exhaust stacks and a vacuum-formed plastic canopy. The aircraft can be covered and finished in a variety of ways to bring it to life. This kit is really a blank canvas for you to use to build the Spitfire you want to fly.
Boxy but Beautiful
Simple beginner-friendly balsa construction results in a simple but elegant model.
Easy Battery Access
There's plenty of room in here for 3s LiPo batteries up to a 2200 (which is the recommended size for this model).
Belly Lander
To do away with complex, fragile retracts, the Balsa Basics Spitfire is a belly lander meaning you can launch and land in a variety of flying fields. A quick underarm hand launch and you're up in the air.
Video Instructions and Flight Video
(Download alternative written instructions as a PDF in the 'Additional Resources' tab at the bottom of this page)
Unlike many of our other more complicated kits, the Balsa Basics Spitfire doesn't need to be built over a plan and can be constructed on a standard-sized kitchen table with some basic tools. All you need is to follow this video along step-by-step:
Get this Kit with an Electronics Pack
This kit does not include a motor, electronics or radio gear - you will have to provide your own.
The Balsa Basics Spitfire is designed to work with our Speed Electronics Pack, which includes a brushless motor, Electronic Speed Controller (ESC), servos and more. It can also be flown on the slower Standard Electronics Pack, if you want to reuse the electronics from your Balsa Basics Cub, for example.
Click here to buy the Balsa Basics Spitfire with Electronics Pack included.
Needed to Complete
If you wish to supply your own electronics and building suppliies, here is what you will need:
Kit Contents:
- Laser cut components (including 2x ply sheets, balsa sheets, balsa strip wood sheet, and thin ply sheet with control horns)
- 18swg (1.2mm) x 19 inch (480mm) piano wire pushrods (no z bend)
- 18swg (1.2mm) x 4 inch (100mm) piano wire aileron pushrods (no z
- bend)
- 1/8th (3.175mm) x 9inch (230mm) hardwood dowel
- 1 x Vacuum-formed scale plastic canopy
- 4 x M3 T-nuts
- 4 x M3 bolts
- 12 x Mylar hinges
- 4 x Rubber Wing bands
Detailed Specs
BALSA BASICS SPITFIRE INSTRUCTIONS
Download written instructions for the Balsa Basics Spitfire here:Balsa Basics Spitfire Instructions
- Wingspan:
- 42" (1070mm)